Jefferson teachers approve new contract

School board says deal not done

Teachers in Jefferson Parish have been working without a collective bargaining agreement since June 2012, and on Tuesday they approved a contract the union said puts kids first and teachers in a position to succeed.

While the teachers are optimistic about the tentative contract, the school board said Tuesday there is no deal yet. A spokesperson for Jefferson schools sent out this statement shortly before the union's vote.

"The Jefferson Parish School Board and the district's administration have not agreed, tentatively or otherwise, to a collective bargaining agreement. The Jefferson Federation of Teachers has acted unilaterally in its presentation of a draft to its members. The draft presented does not represent the views of the school district's administration or the Jefferson Parish School Board."

The head of the Jefferson Federation of Teachers said they have been in negotiations with the school board for months to reach a deal.

"We finalized the basics of this agreement back in December," said Union President Meladie Munch.

Teachers have worked this school year without a contract. In that time they have rallied, packed school board meetings and organized to reach an agreement. The union said it had to start from "ground zero" on a new contract to take in account all of the reforms in Jefferson schools.

"With all the changes in curriculum and testing, it's important that they have adequate time for planning collaboratively with colleagues, time to work with their children and have materials and resources necessary to handle all these changes coming their way," Munch said.

"I trust our board is in good faith and will comply with our wishes," said second-grade teacher Antionette Merlino.

Merlino is hopeful the board will approve the contract.

The union leader said it's time to put this issue to rest. She hopes the school board will take up the matter at one of its April meetings.

"The whole purpose of this is to move this forward," Munch said. "We have been at this for almost a year now. They have been able to complete tasks on other things, now it's time to complete this task."